Offaly school holds flag raising ceremony for sixth Green Flag

THERE was great excitement in Mercy Primary School, Birr, when word was received that they had achieved their sixth Green Flag from An Taisce Green-Schools for Global Citizenship Litter and Waste.

They held a flag raising ceremony recently and the sun shone down as excited families and children filled the schoolyard.

Ms De Chaumont (Green-School’s co-ordinator) welcomed everyone to the school and told how they had embarked on their Green-Schools journey over twelve years ago. She explained that Global Citizenship Litter and Waste is a maintenance theme which enables schools to discover how Green-Schools work has positively influenced people and environments worldwide while revising the previous Litter and Waste theme.

Next the Green-School’s Committee introduced themselves and they spoke about some of the classroom projects and whole school initiatives that were undertaken over the last two years. From Clothing Recycling Collections, Food Collections and the In My Shoes Appeal, to Picker Pals, Incredible Edibles, Global Goals Week and taking part in Irish Aid Workshops. The Big Travel Challenge in February was very successful - a huge number of students and staff walked to school every day. The ‘Dance Party’ on the last day was a big hit!

The girls then mentioned the Green-School’s Assessment when Caroline Clancy visited the school. She was very impressed with the work being carried out in Mercy Primary and her feedback was really positive.

Ms De Chaumont thanked the Committee, Mrs Murray (last year’s Green-School’s co-ordinator), the school secretaries, caretaker Ger, staff, pupils and families for all the great work and time they have dedicated to the programme.

Their Green-School's Motto is ‘Make one small change today. You can make a difference’ and this message is very evident in Mercy Primary School.

Finally, the Committee along with Mr Ger Roberts had the honour of raising the Green Flag to loud cheers and applause from the crowd.

It was a wonderful celebration and the sixth Green Flag is now flying with pride above Mercy Primary School.